paio

Paio is a masculine Italian noun that denotes a unit consisting of two matching items, i.e., a pair. It is used for items that come in twos and function as a set, most often clothing or accessories such as gloves, shoes, or socks. The expression un paio di is the standard way to specify one pair, as in un paio di guanti or un paio di scarpe.

In modern Italian, the plural form of paio is typically paia, used when referring to more than one pair. For example, due paia di guanti means two pairs of gloves. While paio is common in everyday speech, coppia is a closely related term that can be used as a synonym when emphasizing two items that form a matched couple rather than simply counting a unit, as in una coppia di guanti.

Paio is primarily found in everyday language related to items worn or used in pairs. Its usage is distinct from or sometimes overlapping with coppia, which is more general and can apply to non-clothing pairings as well. The word is part of standard Italian vocabulary and is widely understood across dialects, though in more formal or technical contexts, coppia or bounds of quantity may be preferred.